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OMB Control No: 1018-0127	ICR Reference No: 202603-1018-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202305-1018-004
Agency/Subagency: DOI/FWS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/15/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2026
Responses	4,098	3,648
Time Burden (Hours)	2,352	2,241
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Abstract: Fish tagging programs housed at the Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (MDFWCO) have been ongoing since 1985, when the office was first established. The main purpose for establishment was to manage the striped bass cooperative tagging program. This was part of a cooperative effort among federal, state and non-governmental agencies to restore and maintain a sustainable striped bass fishery along the Atlantic coast. Today, tagging programs are still needed to provide essential data for stock assessments to maintain ongoing commercial and recreational striped bass fisheries worth millions of dollars. Many other tagging programs are now managed by MDFWCO. All tagging programs are conducted in partnership with state agencies, universities, NGOs and/or private sector partners. The Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon tagging program was started in 1992. Both sturgeon species managed in the tagging program are listed as endangered species and data is used in stock assessments to help determine population status. Horseshoe crab tagging began in 1999 and has provided information on the distribution, migration, and mortality of crabs. Horseshoe crabs are ecologically important for migratory shorebirds, have a vital role within commercial fishing, the biomedical industry, and ecologically. Another tagging program for the northern snakehead, an invasive species, began in 2009. Tagging was done in order to better inform management agencies in charge of controlling snakehead populations. Information gained from tagging has helped state and federal agencies determine movement and growth rates, and abundance of snakehead within certain areas, all of which as increased effectiveness of control efforts.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1531 et seq. Name of Law: Endangered Species Act of 1973
   US Code: 16 USC 742f Name of Law: Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956
   US Code: 16 USC 661-666c Name of Law: Wildlife Coordination Act
   US Code: 16 USC 757a-g Name of Law: Anadrmous Fish Conservation Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 6245	02/11/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 2797	05/15/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	4,098	3,648	450
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,352	2,241	111
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: With this submission, we are reporting a change in agency estimate of 450 annual responses and 111 annual burden hours.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $113,307

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Madonna Baucum 202 354-1916 madonna_baucum@nps.gov

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